The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell has denounced articles that reported on leaked documents indicating Cuban medical professionals in The Bahamas receive less than 20 percent of their salaries, labelling the most recent piece, an article by the Miami Herald, a “hatchet job”.

The documents, released by the US-based human rights group Cuba Archive, allege that while The Bahamas pays thousands of dollars monthly for each Cuban medical worker, the professionals receive only $990 to $1,200, with the remainder going to the Cuban state agency Comercializadora de Servicios Médicos Cubanos (CSMC).

Despite knocking reports on the documents, neither Mr Mitchell nor any other government official has denied the central claim regarding the salary distribution.

Mr Mitchell criticised the timing of the Miami Herald’s publications, which coincided with Bahamian officials’ meetings in Washington, DC, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week. He suggested the articles aimed to position The Bahamas adversely against the United States.

“This is over the untested allegations that somehow, by hiring Cuban medical practitioners and professionals and teachers in The Bahamas, we are violating international labour norms, which we are not. In my experience, it looked like a setup,” he said.

Mr Mitchell said the reporter did not appreciate his comments and insisted that an opportunity was given to respond to the article before publication. However, he maintained he has no obligation to help propagate “nonsense”.

Following The Tribune’s report, the Miami Herald reported on May 5 that the Cuba Archive published documents revealing Cuban medical professionals receive less than 20 percent of the wages paid by the Bahamian government — an arrangement that could place local officials in the crosshairs of US authorities considering visa restrictions for those linked to Cuba’s medical missions programme.

Mr Mitchell acknowledged the press’s freedom to publish but criticised outlets for running stories based on documents they admitted could not be verified.

“Again, that’s fine, but given that the ability of ministers of The Bahamas government to travel to the United States and therefore around the world was being threatened by US authorities whose visa decisions are subjective, why would a responsible press help to precipitate such a result on untested material? It is shameful just to sell newspapers, and it did not advance in any way the public interest, nor the tenor of the meetings,” he said.

He added that the “irresponsible reporting” also put at risk the families of those officials because the US is targeting them as well.

“These families have nothing to do with the acts or omissions of their family members who are ministers, but you know, the Miami Herald cares not a wit about that.”

“The prejudice and content of selling newspapers and the context of selling newspapers in a parochial atmosphere that decries the present Cuban Government at any cost and gives no quarter that colours what the Miami Herald does.”

“My position is that The Bahamas should insist on the truth, on respect and international relations and demand a right to be treated and reported upon fairly and rationally.”

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has said he believes US officials are “satisfied” with The Bahamas’ handling of Cuban medical labour contracts but stopped short of committing to any reforms to ensure the workers receive a greater share of their salaries.

He indicated that payments might eventually be made directly to workers’ accounts but provided no timeline or commitment.

Mr Davis has “declined a request” to publish The Bahamas’ contract with Cuba for medical services, framing the issue in historical terms with agreements in the mid-20th century when Bahamian workers abroad had part of their wages withheld by the British government.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Michael Pintard said the government should pay Cuban doctors directly for their services.

“I just simply know that the government is generally not transparent about arrangements that they are entered into and the only other thing I could say is that when called out for what may be inappropriate behaviour, we should not treat it flippantly, but we should see it for the seriousness, the serious message that it may send locally and internationally,” he said.

He acknowledged the need to source the help needed for Bahamians but not to the extent that others are being disadvantaged. He added the obligation to correct any decisions that are being made that does not benefit others’ welfare.

Mr Pintard said the prime minister should lay the contracts at the next sitting of the House of Assembly so the public can see the exact terms.